BEATRICE PEDICONI

Beatrice Pediconi is an Italian artist born in 1972 who now resides in New York. Architect by profession, she began in 2003 painting on water, using video and photography to capture the reflections created. Recording the interaction of light, water and ink is a major component of her work. “The fluid world of Beatrice Pediconi” as quoted by Jean-Luc Monterosso (MEP Paris) is part of her ethos of the expansion of photography beyond the borders of the single fixed image and is reminiscent of the worldof perfumery. Like the perfume that we breathe in but do not always see, her work invites us to look for fascinating and suggestive shapes. The following image—commissioned by and created for ICONOfly—and inspired by the world of perfume - is called Red, because it is “the colour of passion.” Again the choice of title contradicts what is revealed on the water, as if to encourage us to think about the types of feelings that inspire fragrance. Her work has been praisedin recent years in several countries. In 2008, she won first prize at the Biennale experimental art vii in St. Petersburg and in 2010 was in residence at the Lucid Art Foundation in San Francisco. Her next work will be presented in Paris at the Italian Cultural Institute and the European House of Photography (“No Trace”, October-November 2011) and also in Rome at the Galleria Bonomo (solo exhibition in November-December 2011) in collaboration with the gallery Z2O .

First memoriesThe fragrance of the sea in Tuscany where we had a house. Perfume is everywhere and is always different. But not the smell of the sea. That is always the same. Even now, everywhere I go, this smell is the same. And every time I feel at home.

First sensationsMy Mum always wore the same perfume. I remember when I was a kid I used to steal a little bit from her bottle. I wished I could be her.

Last wishesPerfume is a question of personality and intimacy. It’s different for each one of us. We choose the one that reflects best what we want the other to perceive about us. We can be affectionate towards just one scent orwe can always change it.You can take it seriously or amuse yourself with it. It’s an extension of human spirit like music and art.